The Australian skipper Tim Paine reckons that he needs to make use of his fast bowlers in short spells in the Test series against Pakistan if they are to defy hard on slow pitches and high temperatures in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

With regular injuries to the fast bowlers like Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, Australian selectors have included an uncapped duo Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser in their squad and recalled veteran Peter Siddle for the two-match series next month. Describing the same, Paine said, “It’s going to be over 40 degrees and really high humidity so we’re going to have to be clever about how we use our bowlers.”

ALSO READ: Tim Paine speaks out to implement the new culture 

Since 2011, Australia has not won a Test series in Asia and their success this time could depend on left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, who picked up 24 wickets in Sri Lanka in 2016. He will be coming back to the team after suffering om a foot stress injury and the skipper has hinted going a little off script to bring the best out of his trump card in grinding conditions. He said that if Starc had a big series against Pakistan than Australia’s chances of winning the series increases further. 

Pakistan has hosted most of its international matches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah since 2009. Australia travel to Dubai looking to rebuild after the ball-tampering scandal which led to long bans for their premier batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner. Paine said a patient approach would be required to counter the conditions which they failed to do during their last visit to the UAE in 2014.

Tim Pained explained, “I think games traditionally in the UAE take a long time so we are going to have to be really patient. We have spoken about partnerships and patience and pressure, which is going to be a real key over there.” Australia play the first test against Pakistan from Oct. 7 in Dubai, followed by the second test at Abu Dhabi from Oct. 16.